Wednesday 25 July 2012 04.52 EDT
First published on Wednesday 25 July 2012 04.52 EDT

Trading up: Suffolk. With five bedrooms and generous reception rooms, this 16th century Grade II listed house in Easton, Suffolk, provides plenty of space. The kitchen of The Agent’s House is enormous, with the prerequisite double-breasted Aga and separate utility room. The pièce de résistance is the garden – 1.5 acres of terraces and formal gardens leading on to parkland grounds beyond. Easton has a thriving local pub and good primary school. It also boasts what is believed to be the longest crinkle crankle wall – a curvy brick wall particularly associated with Suffolk – in the country. On the market for £750,000.
Jackson-Stops & Staff, 01473 218218

Trading down: London. Belvedere Court in Crystal Palace, south-east London, is a converted Victorian school building, and this two-bedroom first-floor flat makes the most of its character, light and space. Although the living room and kitchen are open plan, the flat benefits from a separate utility room – so no danger of your viewing of Wallander being ruined by the spin cycle. Crystal Palace is, as they say, up and coming, with lots of one-off shops and cafes. Yours for £287,500.
Fish Need Water, 020 3551 7844

Trading up: Isle of Wight. This imposing 10-bedroom house, on the market for £749,500, was surely born to be a B&B. Ashleigh, built in the 1830s in the unspoilt village of Bonchurch, is said to have once been home to one of Queen Victoria’s ladies in waiting, and the monarch is believed to have stayed there. The owners currently occupy the lower ground floor, which has two bedrooms, a bathroom, sitting room, kitchen and utility room. The ground, first and second floors have a separate entrance, kitchen and drawing room. The property was rewired and replumbed about 10 years ago, but doesn’t have central heating in the main house.
HoseRhodesDickson, 01983 619238

Trading down: Chichester. Cute or what? The owners have completely renovated this £240,000 two-bedroom cottage in Sidlesham, reworking the layout and adding an extension to make a light and bright home. The garden includes a summerhouse, which is currently used as a study. On the downside, the second bedroom is tiny, and the bathroom is on the ground floor – so you will have to navigate stairs if you get caught short during the night.
Cubitt & West, 01243 850054

Moving sideways: Staffordshire. This three-bedroom beauty in Onecote in the Peak District national park proves it is possible to have too much wood in a property. Everything has been stripped or never painted in the first place – and it’s just too brown. However, the house itself is well proportioned, with good-sized bedrooms, a separate living room, sitting room, dining room and a large front garden. The kitchen even has a walk-in pantry. On the market for £435,000.
Hatched.co.uk, 0845 6780908